In 2003, the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) ranked the United States 18 out of 24 competing developed countries in educational effectiveness. In the face of such negative results, one wouldmistakenlyexpect to hear American teachers passionately call for systematic reform of our public schools. … The 2007 NEA Convention, held June 30 through July 5 in Philadelphia, PA, highlighted many social and political considerations ranging from gay rights to global warming to amnesty, but opposed school choice or tax credits for home-schooling parents. [emphasis in original]

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This year’s convention resolution B-10 resurrects the specter of affirmation action, … [r]esolutions A-24 and A-33 oppose school vouchers and parental option plans, and A-15 asserts carte-blanche that “The Association opposes any federal legislation, laws, or regulations that provide funds, goods, or services to sectarian schools.” Resolution B-75 seeks to perpetuate the double charge home-schooling families pay for their education; the NEA unequivocally asserts that “Home schooling be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/guardians.” Otherwise, the government might actually give home-schooling families tax breaks to offset their expenses, and subsequently reduce public school funding.

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Most strikingly, the NEA does not want federal tax dollars spent on public schools to be recycled for private educational institutions even when the public schools no longer want these resources.